Why Sociology?
Sociology is a social science and this means that it involves the study of society in a systematic way, looking for patterns in individual’s behaviour. Sociologists are curious, even downright ‘nosey’ in that they always enter a situation and ask “Why”? Everyday experiences and interactions are of interest to sociologists as well as the role of society’s institutions in shaping behaviour. Sociology also has a strong theoretical base and potential students should be interested in debating political, economic, cultural and philosophical issues. The central theme of the specification is Social Inequality and Difference and this is explored through the themes of culture, identity (gender, ethnicity, class and age), power and control.
Course Overview
Unit 1 – Exploring socialisation, culture and identity
Formation of culture, the process of socialisation and its role in forming identity as well as exploring the research context. Exam consists of questions based on one piece of pre-released data, which is a synopsis of sociological research related to the core themes of socialisation, culture and identity.
Unit 2 – Topics in socialisation, culture and identity
Students study one area in depth chosen from family, health, youth or religion.
Unit 3 – Power and Control
Students study one option in depth chosen from crime and deviance, education, mass media and power and politics.
Unit 4 – Exploring social inequality and difference
Students study gender, class, ethnicity and age as well as the theoretical and research issues raised by these topics.
Assessment
AS Level is assessed by written examinations on Exploring socialisation, culture and identity and Topics in socialisation, culture and identity. Assessment at A2 Level is by written examinations for Power and Control and Exploring social inequality and difference.
Beyond A Level
Sociologists are founds in all walks of life: medical careers, journalism, legal careers, politics, the police, business and management, charity and social work. Employers value their communication, analytical and research skills and some sociologists have considerable influence on contemporary society, (the sociologists at Essex University who devised the new socio-economic classification system, Anthony Giddens former director of L.S.E. and originator of Third Way politics). Former students at The Abbey School have gone on to study Sociology at Cambridge, L.S.E., Warwick and Bristol.